1/26/08

La Madeleine - East Cobb Location

La Madeleine - East Cobb
4101 Roswell Rd., Ste. 812
Marietta, GA 30062
770-579-3040
http://www.lamadeleine.com/




Becca and Dan had lunch at La Madeleine on 1/26/2008.


What did you order? How was your food?

We ordered a Croque Monsieur with pasta salad, and a Chicken Crepe Riviera with rice and broccoli. For dessert, we had a slice of Sacher Torte and a slice of Cheesecake. The Croque Monsieur was to die for. The bread was thick and topped with a cheesy egg layer. Swiss cheese and ham were melted with garlic sauce inside, and the sandwich was toasted perfectly. The pasta salad was also very nice.

The Chicken Crepe Riviera was good, but not quite as delicious as the Croque Monsieur. The sauce seemed a bit heavy and greasy, but had a nice, buttery flavor. The crepe's texture was right. Rice and broccoli went well with the dish.

Dessert - YUMMY! Need I say more. Well, if you've had Sacher Torte, you know it's scrumptious. This cake, a German word pronounced like "soccer," not "sachet," is a Viennese confection that was invented in 1832. It is dark chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam in the middle. I used to think it was raspberry, but now I know. Sacher Torte is one of my favorite desserts, and going to La Madeleine for coffee and Sacher Torte is my idea of heaven. Oh yes, the cheesecake is creamy and delicious, too!



Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

Well, La Madeleine is actually a cafeteria style restaurant. I think that the serving style adds charm to La Madeleine rather than detracting from it. I love analyzing the bakery presentation and all of the lovely salads, soups, spinach pochettes, potato galettes, croissants, etc. That's part of the fun. Also, one time I had to wait a few minutes for a takeout order, and they gave me a free chocolate croissant. C'est très sympa!


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

Très charmant. La Madeleine's decor is French Provincial. Stone fireplaces, tiles, hardwood floors, ceramic vessels, and paintings of french landscapes prevail. I love it!


On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

La Madeleine is Fine French Fast Food. It is not really comparable with a sit-down restaurant. I give it a 9.5 for bringing a little bit of France to suburban Georgia. Je l'adore!



This restaurant is best for (Choose all that apply)

• Good food • Quick bite • Family-friendly


• Outdoor • Romantic • Special occasion


La Madeleine French Bakery on Urbanspoon

1/21/08

Los Bravos

Los Bravos
Mexican Restaurant
2155 Roswell Rd., NE
Marietta, GA 30062
770-565-8919













Dan and Becca visited Los Bravos on Friday, 1/18/2008 for dinner.

What did you order? How was your food?

I ordered a vegetarian plate with a quesadilla, tostada, and a burrito. My plate was delicious and very cheesy. Dan ordered tamales and enchiladas served with rice and beans. Los Bravos' tamales are the bomb. We also got monster mango margaritas - nice and strong.


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

We have been here many times, and service is always cordial and prompt.


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

Decor at Los Bravos is better than the average neighborhood Mexican restaurant, more classy and colorful. Atmosphere is festive.


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Yes, we spent only $25, and the drinks were strong.


On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

This restaurant is great for a local Mexican restaurant. I give it an 8 for local Mexican restaurant.


This restaurant is best for (Choose all that apply)

• Good food • Quick bite • Family-friendly • Outdoor • Romantic • Special occasion

La Madeleine French Bakery on Urbanspoon

1/12/08

MALAYA

Malaya

Thai, Malaysian & Chinese Cuisine
857 Collier Rd., NW, Suite 10
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-609-9991/404-609-9892
Order Online at
http://www.allmenus.com/






Rebecca shared carry-out ordered online from Malaya with her parents on 1/12/2008.

What did you order? How was your food?

We ordered two entrees - Kari Ayam Malaya (Malaysian Curry Chicken) with steamed rice, and Pan Fried Egg Noodle. The Malaysian Curry Chicken was fantastic. It is a traditional, homestyle Malaysian curry with potatoes, onions, and string beans. If you dine in, it's served in a claypot. The flavor was exquisite, and it was only mildly spicy. It tasted similar to Thai curry, but Malaysia has its own distinct curry ingredients. According to Wikipedia, "Malaysian curry powders are now much sought-after internationally."

Pan Fried Egg Noodle is a plentiful helping of crispy egg noodles served with chicken, beef, snow peas, nappa, carrots, and broccoli in a clear brown sauce. This dish was also delicious and enjoyed by all. Four sweet bean dumplings were included for dessert, as well as fortune cookies. The entire meal was excellent.

How was the service? What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

When I picked up the order, I was greeted cheerfully. The man who helped me was very polite and friendly. The decor is pretty and traditional, and creates a warm Southeast Asian atmosphere.

Do you consider this a good value? If no, why not?

Yes. This is a mid-priced restaurant with entrees starting around $8. Mine both cost $9.25. The quantity of the food was generous.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

10 out of 10 for Malaysian, Thai and Chinese Cuisine

This restaurant is best for...

Good food, Take-out, Family-friendly, Romantic, Special occasion

One sentence summary:

Malaya offers delicious Asian Cuisine at affordable prices, and its easily accessible location near I-75, plus its online ordering option, should ensure the continued success of this Malaysian, Thai and Chinese gem.



Malaya on Urbanspoon

1/6/08

The Melting Pot - New Year's Eve Review

The Melting Pot - Kennesaw Location














My husband, Dan (the Le Cordon Bleu grad), and I went to The Melting Pot's New Year's Eve event at the Kennesaw Location for my birthday (12/31). We had been once before for my college graduation party and had enjoyed it. So, here is my review!

What did you order? How was your food?

The menu was prix fixe. The restaurant offered five courses - an amuse bouche, an appetizer, a salad, an entree, and dessert. We also got the wine pairings option which gave us four wine pairings. The amuse bouche was a shrimp cocktail. We both liked it and thought the cocktail sauce was great. The wine pairing was a Gewurztraminer, one of Dan's favorites, and was matched well. Second was the entree; garlic herb cheddar fondue with a variety of breads, vegetables, and Granny Smith apples for dipping.

Fondue is the essence of The Melting Pot's experience - this is Chuck E. Cheese for grownups. You play with your food, and it's delicious. Plus, you get to watch the server mix in all the ingredients.

Salads were fresh and very good. The entree was a selection of meats - lobster tail, filet mignon, sirloin, pork, and pesto chicken. We chose coq au vin for the cooking style, and several sauces were also provided for dipping, as well as more vegetables. The entree was probably the best part, we had so much fun losing the pieces of meat and finding them with the "search and rescue" slotted spoon. The entree also came with a wine pairing.

The dessert was Snickers fondue with brownies, oreo-covered marshmallows, cheesecake, and strawberries. Very chocolaty and delicious. The wine pairing was port. I don't know how we ate dessert after all of the other courses!



Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

The service was excellent once we got seated. There was a gift bag on our table with free spices, white chocolate fondue, and coupons. A fantastic touch.

Unfortunately, it was extremely crowded at 9 PM, and even though we made a reservation, we weren't offered a table for twenty minutes. We had a great time at the bar, though. Please don't judge the restaurant based on that, because this seating problem did not happen when we went for my graduation, so I assume it was only because it was a special occasion, and it was worth the wait.

Our server was gracious and very knowledgeable about our meal. She was humorous and chatted with us a bit, too. Then, the manager or owner came by and took two complimentary photos of us with a digital camera. He e-mailed them to us promptly. Another fun part of our experience.


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

Very romantic. The building is lovely, and so is the interior. The lights are dim, and jazz music played softly. I love the atmosphere.

Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent?

Yes, but it is on the pricey side. The prix fixe menu was $79 per person; with the four wine pairings, it was $99. You do get plenty of food, fun, and wine for your money. Also, we got the gift bag and the free digital photos. A more affordable option if you just want to try it is to go for dessert or appetizers. Their regular menu is great for a romantic date.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

9.5 for fun fondue and romantic dates.


This restaurant is best for
• Good food • Romantic • Special Occasion


Melting Pot on Urbanspoon